A new day has dawned
at Meacham International Airport (KFTW), thanks to a
public/private partnership between the City of Fort
Worth and fixed base operator, American Aero FTW.
Tuesday's ribbon
cutting ceremony at the new 85,000-square-foot
administration building, marked a significant
milestone in the history of the 91-year-old airport.
American Aero FTW will be the prime tenant and only
FBO in the new facility.
The makeover of
the administration building is being funded
primarily by the City of Fort Worth with a major
investment by American Aero FTW, owned by financier
and philanthropist
Robert M. Bass.
“The city’s
commitment to rebuild the terminal and invest in
upgrading the airport created the opportunity to
partner with the city to make Meacham International
Airport a major gateway. We worked with the city to
create a five-star experience for our tenants, the
arriving and departing pilots, and their
passengers,” Bass said.
|
Employees
of American Aero FTW celebrate the
grand opening of the private aviation
terminal’s new facility with general
manager Riggs Brown (center left)
and owner Robert M. Bass (center right). |
“This is a
significant transformation for the airport which
opened in 1925, and American Aero FTW has played a
key role in making it happen,” said
Jeff Kloska,
City of Fort Worth assistant director of aviation
and manager of the airport. “This is a proud day for
Meacham International Airport, which is now poised
for growth as the premier corporate and general
aviation facility in North Texas.”
American Aero
FTW’s new facility offers modern passenger lounges
and fully equipped conference rooms. Pilot and crew
lounges include a large-screen smart TV, fully
reclining seating, work stations, a soundproof sleep
room, shower, kitchen, and flight-planning room. A
dedicated air concierge team serves both passengers
and crew. iPads loaded with movies and TV shows are
available for visitors.
The new facility
was also designed with the latest technology,
including:
- Intelligent,
electrochromic windows that automatically tint
to reduce heat and glare while maximizing
natural light
- Sound-masking
to enhance the customer experience
- Wireless fuel
meter system for instantaneous and precise
on-ramp transactions
In 2015, American
Aero FTW became the first FBO in the Western
Hemisphere to earn International Standard for
Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) accreditation,
which recognizes rigorous safety and ground handling
operations.
In addition to the
new facility, American Aero FTW has built three new,
state-of-the-art hangars, more than doubled its
hangar space, for a total of 280,000 square feet of
leasable hangar and office space. The FBO also
offers 11 acres of open ramp, monitored 24/7, and
U.S. Customs services onsite and on the ramp.
“By partnering
with the city, we have enhanced Meacham
International Airport’s profile and revitalized a
key sector of the community,” said
Riggs Brown,
general manager of American Aero FTW. “Vibrant
airports make vibrant cities, and we are proud to
play a role in drawing more pilots and passengers to
Fort Worth.” |